Changing bile acids to help diabetes, fatty liver, and weight problems
Targeting bile acid composition to treat metabolic diseases
['FUNDING_R01'] · BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE · NIH-11252541
This project is developing medicines that shift bile acid balance in the liver to help adults with type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, or obesity.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DUARTE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11252541 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project aims to make new medicines that change the mix of bile acids in the liver by blocking an enzyme called CYP8B1. Researchers will create a high-throughput screening test to find compounds that specifically block CYP8B1 and will test promising compounds in cells and animal models while comparing findings to human data. If compounds look safe and effective in preclinical tests, they could advance toward safety studies and clinical trials in adults with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or NAFLD/NASH. The overall goal is to develop safer, longer-lasting treatments for weight, blood sugar, and liver fat problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21+) with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / NASH would be the likely candidates for future trials of these therapies.
Not a fit: Children, people without metabolic or liver disease, or those with liver conditions unrelated to NAFLD may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a new class of drugs that reduce weight, improve liver health, and improve blood sugar control with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic and animal studies show that reducing CYP8B1 activity improves metabolism, but specific CYP8B1-blocking drugs are novel and have not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
DUARTE, UNITED STATES
- BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE — DUARTE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HUANG, WENDONG — BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE
- Study coordinator: HUANG, WENDONG
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus